Charlie Gonzalez Local student Charlie Gonzalez of Gillett Intermediate School participated as the South District Champion in the 2010 Texas Elks State Association (TESA) Hoop Shoot® Free Throw Contest held in Dallas on Saturday, Feb. 20.

Gonzalez competed against eight other District champions from around the state of Texas in the 10-11 year old boys division.

To earn a spot in the state competition Gonzalez won his local contest, sponsored by Kingsville Elks Lodge and then the South District shoot-off.

State first place winners advance to the next level of competition, which is the four-state Regional contest held in Carrollton on March 27, with the national finals in Springfield, MA on April 24.

This year over 220,000 kids in Texas competed in the contest, according to Russell Scott, TESA Hoop Shoot Director.

Nationwide over 3.5 million boys and girls will compete in three different age groups.

TESA President Bob Boyett extended congratulations to all of the participants, saying “Texas Elks realize that our children are our future and it is important for them to learn the necessary steps to achieving goals in order to grow into successful productive adults. This is an experience they will remember and benefit from their entire lives. It is a great honor for us to be able to provide this friendly competition as a tool for our future leaders.”

The Elks are a Fraternal organization with nearly one million members nationwide and distributes over $7 million annually for scholarship and other youth programs.

Charlie is the son of Carlos and Esther Gonzalez.